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SCMP Reporters

Police fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse radical protesters who stormed into Hong Kong's Legislative Council as a day of unprecedented violence and chaos marked the 22nd anniversary of the city’s return to China.
A squad armed in riot gear and wielding shields appeared at Harcourt Road where protesters were milling about at around 11.40pm. They began positioning themselves and removing barriers on the road.
Earlier, protesters had stormed into the Legislative Council and defaced the chamber, after hours of besieging the building, smashing glass doors and dismantling metal bars.
Their actions were in stark contrast to a peaceful rally where 550,000 marchers according organisers took part in the annual July 1 march.


A day of unprecedented violence in Hong Kong as protesters storm the Legislative Council and police fire tear gas

Police fire tear gas to disperse protesters after a day of violence Photo: Sam Tsang

Violent clashes between protesters and police mar Hong Kong’s most muted handover anniversary celebrations on record

Hong Kong government forced to hold flag-raising ceremony inside for first time as rain threatens, and protesters and police clash in the streets

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Protesters amass in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong on Monday morning. Photo: Winson Wong

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks after watching the annual flag raising ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China, inside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. 01JUL19 SCMP/ Nora Tam

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam takes part in a press conference at the government headquarters in Hong Kong on June 18, 2019. - Lam apologised on June 18 for the political unrest sparked by a proposed Beijing-backed law that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks after watching the annual flag-raising ceremony to mark the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China. Photo: Nora Tam

Protesters gathered on Harcourt Road early on Monday morning ahead of the flag-raising ceremony and the annual July 1 march. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

A black Hong Kong flag flies as protesters replaced with the Chinese flag that is normally set up next to a Hong Kong flag, left, in the Tamar Park. SCMP/ Winson Wong

7:55AM CE Carrie Lam arriving at the HKECE. Photo: Nora Tam

7:15AM Waterfront. Photo: Winson Wong

Chief Executive Carrie Lam toasts the audience during the flag-raising ceremony. Photo: Nora Tam

Demonstrators had smashed into city's legislature following hours of destruction, which prompted unprecedented red alert
Earlier, hundreds of thousands marched peacefully through city while leader Carrie Lam pledged to listen to the people during ceremony to celebrate anniversary of return to Chinese sovereignty


Police fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse radical protesters who stormed into Hong Kong's Legislative Council as a day of unprecedented violence and chaos marked the 22nd anniversary of the city’s return to China.
 


Hong Kong extradition bill

Live

While the two protesters are ramming the door of Legislative Council, some others are trying to break the building’s glass wall with metal poles and other tools.



Legco storming bid by protesters

Officers are trying to stop attempts from protesters to get inside the Legco building by warning them of the consequences.
Police have raised a red flag from inside the Legco building where they are storming pic.twitter.com/ORvdvwPd33
— Chris Lau (@hkchrislau) July 1, 2019
 


Police issue warning for protesters

The glass front of the legislature has been been rammed, smashing small holes into the building.
Inside, police officers are wearing gas masks.



Legco's glass front smashed by ramming

Hundreds of people have gathered in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, waiting for the annual July 1 march to begin.
King Shen Ka-man, a 27-year-old civil servant, said he could sense that society's anti-extradition bill sentiment had cooled down with part of the people accepting the government's suspension of the controversial bill, which would have allowed Hong Kong to transfer suspects to face trial in other jurisdictions, including mainland China.
But Shen said he would keep protesting until the government fully withdrew the bill. 
“I'm very tired, but I will keep hanging in there,” he said. “I don't think Carrie Lam will make a 180-degree change because of our protests, but I think it's important to make a statement.”


Crowds gather in Victoria Park for July 1 march

Protesters are trying to ram Legco’s entrance with the trolley again, but a group of pan-democratic lawmakers, mostly from the Democratic Party, are standing in their way and pushing the trolley back.
Demonstrators are hurling verbal abuse at them, telling the lawmakers to leave.


Trolley ram-raid triggers standoff with lawmakers

#LIVE: The main Legco entrance has been blocked by umbrellas and other obstacles https://t.co/kRPV4QL3lV pic.twitter.com/TVoMu6CeTf
— SCMP News (@SCMPNews) July 1, 2019


Legco main entrance blocked by umbrellas

Police Senior Superintendent Kong Wing-cheung says they asked the Civil Human Rights Front to consider postponing the annual march from Causeway Bay to Admiralty, changing the route, or just staying in Victoria Park, because of the violence earlier today.
But the front dismissed all three options.
Speaking in a press briefing, Kong says police would appeal to residents to think twice before joining today’s march, especially if they are planning to go with their children or elderly family members.


Organisers reject police plea to change march plans

Taiwanese activists chanting for Carrie Lam to step down and to withdraw the #extraditionbill. pic.twitter.com/XIsYFtZ1ns
— Rachel Yeo (@racporter) July 1, 2019


Taiwanese protesters call for Carrie Lam to step down

Democratic Party lawmaker Roy Kwong Chun-yu, alongside a number of pan-democratic legislators, tries to persuade angry protesters not to storm the legislature.
“Please don't storm. If you storm, non-violent protesters behind will suffer,” he says.
Demonstrators shout in response: “You legislators are useless.”
Kwong says in reply: “Yes, we are useless but we still trying to protect you.”
A protester hits back with: “You are disappointing those who have sacrificed. You shouldn't be talking to us, you should be talking to the media.”
Pan-democrats Eddie Chu Hoi-dick and Andrew Wan Siu-kin also appeal for calm.
Chu tells protesters: “We will protect you and won’t let police come out and attack you. But you also have to know that Legco is an ‘empty city’, we should focus our attention on the regime.”


Lawmakers appeal for calm

Ringo Shum Cheung-kwan, a 57-year-old freelancer, says he came out to demand a complete retraction of the extradition bill. 
“Suspension is too vague,” Shum says. “It means the government can come back with the bill at any time it wants.”
Shum says he agrees society has been torn apart by protests and the police crackdown, with some using excessive force.

He says the only way to mend the relations is for the government to answer to people's demands, and for Beijing to stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. 
He can understand why young people had resorted to non-cooperative movements to vent their anger, Shum adds.
“To fight tyranny, you can't only talk,” he says. “If you don't cause inconvenience, the government will never listen.”


Disruption necessary 'to fight tyranny'

Politicians are no longer trying to stop protesters from smashing Legco's glass doors. They are forced to leave by demonstrators.
The glass on entrance number two looks like it may shatter at any moment.
 


Lawmakers trying to stop ram-raid forced to stand down 

Civil Human Rights Front announces the destination of the march is changed to Chater Road in Central.
It was scheduled to finish at the legislative and administrative headquarters in Admiralty.
The decision follows a plea from police to organisers to cancel or divert the march in the wake of violent clashes around the complex.


Organisers announce change of march route

More than an hour ago, some ships sailed into Victoria Harbour displaying pro-Beijing banners. 


 


Fishing vessels fly pro-Beijing banners in harbour 

HK protesters are ramming a cart to the glass door of the legislature. They broke half of one glass door already @SCMPNews pic.twitter.com/5TrAG9KTDN
— Phila Siu (Bobby) (@phila_siu) July 1, 2019


Glass falls at Legco

Police pepper spray protesters as they push a cart loaded with cardboard through the shattered door of the legislature.
Half of the trolley is inside the Legco building. Demonstrators continue to try and tear down the glass front with metal poles.
HK police pepper sprayed protesters who pushed a cart through the glass wall of the legislature @SCMPNews pic.twitter.com/VdJP1s6NqA
— Phila Siu (Bobby) (@phila_siu) July 1, 2019


Trolley rammed into Legco, police pepper spray raiders

Some of the more radical protesters are storming the Legco now despite pro-democracy lawmakers' effort to stop them. Legislator Leung Yiu-chung was tackled on the floor pic.twitter.com/nclAI2RqWO
— Chris Lau (@hkchrislau) July 1, 2019


Scuffles outside Legco as some protesters storm doors

It appears that protesters have penetrated through Legco's glass wall but police hold them back with shields pic.twitter.com/Yq1G7OPKqw
— Chris Lau (@hkchrislau) July 1, 2019


Police use shields to plug shattered glass

Thousands of people are awaiting to join the rally at Tin Hau and Causeway Bay. pic.twitter.com/pErI1iZVkW
— Alvin Lum (@alvinllum) July 1, 2019


Thousands line up for annual July 1 march

Ku Siu-fai, chief inspector for Hong Kong Islands (operations), calls on those intending to join the July 1 march to rethink their decision. 
He says considering the violence at Legco by some 1,500 protesters, police have requested the march organiser to change its plan but to no avail.
“Since we can no longer confirm the extent of the risks from the march, for the sake of public interest ... and concerns of public safety and order, we have recommended the organiser to either postpone the rally, confine it to Victoria Park in Causeway Bay or change the protest route and make Wan Chai as the destination,” he says, adding that these suggestions were however rejected. 
“We feel regrettable that the march organiser has chosen to ignore the safety of citizens,” Ku says.
 “We call on those who intend to join the protest, especially with the elderly and children, to seriously reconsider their decision. If they insist on taking part in the protest, they should be mindful about their personal safety.”


Police appeal for July 1 marchers to rethink decision

Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen condemns those trying to storm the complex.
"Protesters used hard objects such as metal cart and sticks, and seriously damaged the Legco building," Leung said in a statement released via his spokesman.
He urges protesters to express their views peacefully, saying it was him who called police for help.


Legco president condemns storming attempt

There is already a massive turnout at Sogo in Causeway Bay, where crowds have mostly occupied all lanes outside the department store. Organisers call on protesters to wait patiently for their turn to pass through as the procession lumbers along. 



July 1 march fills Causeway Bay

There are far fewer protesters compared with the June 16 march when crowds spilled into side streets. Those who showed up today are walking under a sweltering 32 degrees Celsius and stifling humidity.



Smaller march compared with June 16, but crowds braving heat

Watch our video on Carrie Lam's speech earlier

Some protesters spill into Hysan Place with people leading the crowd and chanting slogans inside the Causeway Bay shopping mall.
“Carrie Lam, step down!” Hysan Place is packed with protesters too #antiELAB #FreedomHK #july1march #extraditionbill pic.twitter.com/0WrfNWg0ye
— Jeffie Lam (@jeffielam) July 1, 2019


Protesters spill into Hysan Place

Hundreds of protesters are flocking to the lawn at Victoria Park, the starting point of the annual July 1 pro-democracy march.
Organisers are calling on police to open more roads so that demonstrators do not have to wait for hours under the heat.



More arrive for march and Victoria Park starting point

A stand-off ensues between protesters and police at Victoria Park, the starting point of the march, as crowds chant for officers to clear the roads and let more people assemble. 



Stand-off at Victoria Park as crowds want more space

Teacher Gary Chiu, who joins the rally with his daughter and wife, as he did with the last two mass marches, says he worries about clashes in Legco and the safety of his family.
He says he could well leave the march in Admiralty to avoid getting caught up in any clashes.

“I hope there won’t be any confrontations, because ultimately it’s the government to blame,” Chiu says.
“That’s why we need an independent inquiry for everyone to cool down. [It is] true that police have acted with restraint and not sent out anti-riot squads. But still we need to put a stop to all this once and for all.”
 


Worried dad may leave march early over safety fears

After a standstill lasting 10 to 15 minutes, protesters who smashed Legco doors are gearing up for another thrust. More than a dozen umbrellas have formed a shield covering those ready to storm again. The group is holding a metal bar, aimed at the shattered glass, readying for another push. 



Legco protesters gearing up for another push

Harley Chuk Kit-ying and her dog are at the march for the first time. She wants the government to fully withdraw the controversial bill. 
Chuk says she did not join the previous two massive marches that drew hundreds of thousands.
“I am afraid the march today will be the last protest for Hong Kong. If I still chose not to come, then I would regret for a lifetime,” the businesswoman in her 20s says.
When asked about the violent clashes between protesters and police at Legco in Admiralty, she says, adding that the world is watching: “There is no need to storm Legco. It will give an excuse for police and their supporters to label protesters as rioters.”



'There is no need to storm Legco'

Police officers inside the legislature direct more pepper spray at those trying to storm the building.
A few hundred protesters are in the vicinity. Some have already smashed through half of the glass wall.
But they have hardly made any further progress in the past two hours.


Hundreds gather as hardcore protesters prevented from entering Legco

Scenes from the march 

Legislator Lam Cheuk-ting begs protesters to stop the attack on Legco but his pleas fall on deaf ears. Photo by Sam Tsang. 



Lawmaker begs Legco attackers to stop

An inflatable crocodile bearing Chief Executive Carrie Lam's name is likened to the Hong Kong leader: “They’re the same species, cold-blooded and cry fake tears."



Crocodile tears jibe for Lam

Half of a glass panel at Legco has been smashed through, but police inside are gearing up to push back the crowd. 

Some protesters, seeing officers putting on masks, are retreating from the area as others move to Harcourt Road nearby. 
#antiELAB protesters walk away from Legco glass wall as they see police inside gearing up, putting on masks. pic.twitter.com/OqW2f58lIe
— Xinqi Su (@XScmp) July 1, 2019


Showdown looms

Holding a trekking stick, Wayland Lee, 70, says he decided to participate in the July 1 pro-democracy march to support the city's youth, after not doing so for several years and not joining the last two protests against the bill.
“They have more knowledge of society than us in our youth, so I purposely came out to support them,” the retiree says of young Hongkongers. He has even called on his son and daughter-in-law, both 30, to join him today. “It is not just one incident that the government has done that has caused society to be so unhappy,” he says.  “It is tiring to participate in the march, but I think it is worth it.”



'Doing this for young people'

Jannie Kwan fears for her safety after writing hundreds of anti-government poems and wants to emigrate.
The 70-year-old takes to the streets again today after joining numerous protests in the last 20 years.
"Carrie Lam is shameless," she says.

"She only thinks about her own interests. She should reflect upon herself and not only listen to Beijing and the Communist Party.
"I'm worried that tomorrow there will be mainland laws in Hong Kong and I might be charged with subversion," adds Kwan, who has written over 2,000 poems criticising the government.
"It is pathetic in Hong Kong. I also want to emigrate but I don't know where I can go."


'Carrie Lam is shameless'

Retiree Lau Yeung-ching just turned 80 last month, and joined the last two massive marches in June. 
“My children have to work today, so I came alone. I am as fit as a fiddle, so of course I have to march while I still can,” Lau says.
“I don’t agree with protesters using violence and storming Legco this morning. But the vast majority of protesters are peaceful and there is no justifying anti-riot police using excessive force such as rubber bullets on them.”



'I have to march while I still can'

More protesters collapse from the sweltering heat.
Others rush to help, waving paper fans or offering portable electric ones, but there are not enough first aiders at the scene.



Weather takes toll

Protesters involved in charging the Legco building initially aimed to storm inside and occupy the place. But they move on after managing to smash a hole in a glass wall, hailing it as a victory. They then join the swelling crowd of marchers on Harcourt Road.
Protesters consider it a victory after leaving this hole in the glass wall. They retreat it to Harcourt Road afterwards. The tense air just now has cleared up pic.twitter.com/aVutxB9QP4
— Chris Lau (@hkchrislau) July 1, 2019


Legco attackers hail victory and join swelling march

 
Protesters making space for an ambulance to pass through on Gloucester Road before reoccupying again. #extraditionbill #july1march pic.twitter.com/fRGCJwS3yX
— Rachel Yeo (@racporter) July 1, 2019


Crowd parts for ambulance

Most protesters have now set off from the lawn at Victoria Park - the starting point of the march - while the first batch of demonstrators arrives at the end point, Chater Road in Central.
But a thin stream of protesters are still joining the march.




More join as first demonstrators reach the end point

Water bottles, eggs, cardboard boxes are hurled over the metal fence into Civic Square outside government headquarters, where dozens of anti riot police officers are stationing. An officer has been broadcasting warning. pic.twitter.com/8eEA0hDWed
— Xinqi Su (@XScmp) July 1, 2019


Riot police on standby become target of hurled eggs, bottles

Democratic Party founding chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming says the earlier clashes at Legco may have affected the rally turnout.
“There seems to be fewer people than the last marches. Some parents may have doubted whether they want them and their want kids to join [due to the clashes],” Lee says.
“The majority of people still wish to have a peaceful demonstration.”

He says Hong Kong leader Lam can hardly govern the city under these circumstances, and the real solution lies in restarting the process of political reform. 
“The people have already spoken on whether Lam should go,” Lee said. “But think deeper, if she steps down, the fifth chief executive will only be Beijing’s choice. We must have genuine universal suffrage.”


Clashes could be to blame for smaller rally crowds

Protesters are urged into walking along Jaffe Road towards Wan Chai, and then rejoining the procession on Lockhart Road.



Reroutes on march

Protesters inside Legco demonstration area are trying to break the glass doors at members entrance no 1 and public entrance. Many shouting "block cameras" and using umbrellas to block reporters' views. pic.twitter.com/UyW6d1NWFL
— Xinqi Su (@XScmp) July 1, 2019


Violence at Legco shifts to demonstration area

About 10 police officers, armed with shields and helmets, are standing by behind a metal gate at the main entrance of the Legco building. Meanwhile protesters are using metal bars to smash glass panels.



Legco clash looms as more glass smashed

For the first time today, a small group of protesters has entered Legco through the main entrance.
They are in a section of the building between that entrance and heavy-duty metal gates that lead to the legislature's lobby.
The handful of demonstrators inside Legco are gathering in that small space between the broken glass doors and the metal gates, behind which stand police lines.

At least two glass windows have been broken at the public entrance, which is by the demonstration area.
Journalists use one of the holes to to get into Legco to film the action from inside.
Hundreds of protesters are forming queues, holding onto the bag of the person in front of them, in apparent readiness for moving in together.
 
 


Protesters breach Legco main entrance 

For about half an hour, protesters have thrown all manner of objects at officers guarding the main entrance of the government headquarters. Both sides are about 50 metres apart. Police retreated 10 minutes ago, to loud cheers from protesters. 
Protesters have been throwing miscellaneous items to the some 25 police guarding main entrance of the gov HQ. The officers just now decided to retreat. Protesters cheered. @SCMPNews pic.twitter.com/UEimCHykfF
— Phila Siu (Bobby) (@phila_siu) July 1, 2019


Cheers as police retreat from government HQ entrance

Young protesters are holding up signs to encourage some to join the protests near Legco. “Students need your support!” they chanted. “If we have more people, there’s no need to fear!”
Some marchers heed the call and stream off from the main procession, but others carry on. There is no squabbling between the two sides. 



Call to join Legco protests

About 60 police officers, many armed with shields, are walking from the government headquarters to the legislature, where protesters have smashed through glass panels. Here's a map of where clashes around Legco have happened: 



Police march towards Legco, armed with shields

A red alert has been issued for the first time ever in Hong Kong's legislature. The warning means everyone should evacuate the area. 


Legco on red alert

Protesters are ripping external panels off the Legco building and protesters appear to be entering an outer section within Legco. 
A demonstrator at the Legco protest zone admits he has no plan for what comes next, if the group makes it into the building. 
"This is an outpouring, after peaceful processions have proven useless," he says.
 
 
 


Demonstrators tear off metal panels from front of Legco

Two glass doors at the members entrance 1 in the Legco protest area have been broken and ripped off. Protesters then use metal barricades to pound sealed steel shutters. They continue to use umbrellas to block the media's view. 



Doors ripped off, steel shutters smashed

In an announcement broadcast through loudspeakers, police say protesters have committed criminal offences by breaking the legislature’s glass wall.
The force also accuse some protesters at the legislature of attacking officers with lime powder, also called caustic soda, which can burn the skin and eyes, especially if mixed with water.
The police announcement condemns the behaviour.
 
 


Police accuse protesters of using caustic soda against officers

In a statement, the government says it "strongly condemns and deeply regrets the extremely violent acts committed by some protesters who stormed the Legislative Council Complex this afternoon, using a roll cage trolley as a ram and iron poles to shatter glass doors of the Legco".
A government spokesman says: "Hong Kong is a society that respects the rule of law, and has never tolerated violence. Protesters who resort to violence must stop their acts immediately. The police will take appropriate enforcement action to protect public order and safety.”


Government slams protesters for Legco attack

Protesters seem uninterested in going into the legislature. They pile umbrellas at the entrances even after tearing through fencing and gates. 



Umbrellas piled at entrances

The last of the march-goers are outside Sogo in Causeway Bay.



Tail end of march outside Sogo

Here is our latest map of where the clashes at Legco are happening, and below, the diverted route of the march:

 


Legco clashes mapped

Protesters are trying to prise open the heavy-duty internal gate within Legco's main entrance with metal bars, umbrellas and a metal barricade.
Police officers, armed with shields and gas masks, are standing on the other side of the gate, which opens into the lobby of the legislature.
At least one officer is armed with a shotgun capable of firing rubber bullets or beanbag rounds.
A police officer is warning from behind the metal gate that protesters must stop trying to wrench it open.
“Anyone who comes in will be arrested immediately,” she shouts.


Attempts to break through internal Legco gate

Scenes from Legco 

After failing to prise open one entrance of the Legislative Council, protesters proceed to block it up with wooden boards.

 
